Key Facts and Figures
Introduction
An intriguing blend of old and new, the North Coast is where the world’s largest expanse of subtropical rainforest meets mountains forged from ancient volcanoes, overlooking 300 kilometres of spectacular coastline.
Endless beaches offers surfing, whale-watching, frolicking dolphins and flocks of seabirds. Inspiring surroundings attract creative personalities – artists, writers and musicians. Colourful local festivals brim with arts and crafts, kites, crystals and local produce.
Statistics & Economic Facts
Population: 283,544
Area: 20,895 sq km
Average age of residents is 39 years
The population is expected to grow to 319, 100 by June 2017
Annually the region receives 225,000 international visitors, 1.8 million domestic overnight visitors and 2.7 million daytrip visitors. Tourism employs approximately 7200 people in the region, or 6.8% of the region’s workforce and generates approximately $1.1 billion in revenue for the regional economy.
Major Cities/Towns
Grafton
Casino
Ballina
Lismore
Byron Bay
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Climate
The region lies within a subtropical zone on the eastern seaboard of Australia. Temperatures are generally mild all year round. Mean minimum and maximum temperatures range from 13.2 and 25.5 degrees Celsius. Mean annual rainfall is 120mm and mean number of clear days is 109. (this is a regional snapshot based using Lismore as the largest and geographically central city in the region,from the Bureau of Meteorology site at www.bom.gov.au
